Surface cover for ice cream cans



July 26, 1932. R. SINGER 1,863,772

SURFACE COVER FOR ICE CREAM CANS Filed Nov. 13, 1929 ATTOR EY Patented July 26,1932

ATENT OF F -IE ROBERT SINGER, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK summon 'covnn FOR ICE CREAM CANS Application filed. November 13, 1929. Serial No. 406,949.

This invention relates to attachments for ice cream cans and the like and more particularly to what I term a combined surface cover or closure and rim connector, the same being an improvement in my copending application, Serial No. 379,050, filed July 17th, 1929. As set forth in said copending application, the conventional type of ice cream can re frigerator now used at soda fountains, there is provided an inner lining or frame which is insulated from the body of the refrigerator proper. The lining is of such depth as to produce a well for two or more ice cream cans, one placed directly behind the other. Either electrical, gas or other mechanical refrigeration is now commonly employed, although it will be seen that my invention is also appli: cable for use in connection with the old type of refrigerators wherein cracked ice constitutes the refrigerant. When the cans are positioned in the well, there is an open substantially triangular space between the walls'of the lining and the can bodies. During the handling of the ice cream by means of hand scoops, ladles or other mechanical devices,

there is a considerable loss of ice cream due to the presence of the spaces between the lin-.

'37 tween the cans in the wells is very objectionable also from a sanitary standpoint and is very difficult to remove even when the cans are taken out of the wells.

In order to overcome the above objections an and others,.I have devised a novel and improved surface cover which not only covers and closes the space between the cans and opposite side walls of the lining but also clamps the rims of the cans together prevent- 45 ing relative movement thereof. r

More specifically my invention relates to a surface cover or plate and rim connecting structure, constructed and arranged to cover the space and surface between the top rims or edges of the cans and the walls of the frame or lining, including provision for expanding and adjusting the longitudinal edge of said cover or plate. v

To enable others skilled in the art to more fully comprehend the underlying features of my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of the speciiication in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing the application of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 ofFig.2. l v

Fig. dis a sectiontaken on the line H of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on theline 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. Sis a detail showing a slightly modified form of clamp that may be used in connection with my invention.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 5 desighates the side wall, and 6, 7 the back. and front walls of a conventional refrigerator or box in which is located a'lining or frame 8 spaced from the interior thereof. The straight side walls and curvilinear ends of the lining or frame. produces a well for receiving a plurality of ice cream cans or containers, one behind the other as clearly seen in Fig. 1 of the draw-ing. k

In the present drawing, I have shown two cylindrical ice cream. cans 9, 10, within the well 11, the covers of said cans being removed. When thus positioned, it will be seen that this arrangement necessitates a substantially triangular open space in the well at each side thereof which is desired to cover and prevent the dropping of ice cream therein in the manner now to be described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, I provide a substantially triangular surface plate or cover 12 preferably of metal, for each side opening between said cans, said plates or covers being adapted to fit the top rims of the adjacent cans as shown. The -ongitudinal edge 13 of each plate or cover is parallel with the side wall of the lining or frame and the sides 14, 15 are shaped in the form of the segment of a circle, correspond ing with the curvature of the cans. The plates or covers thus he over the segmental portion of the top rims of the two adjacentice cream cans substantially in a plane with the top of said cans.

The segmental, curvilinear sides of the surface plate or cover terminate at the bridge portion 16 of what might be termed the apex of the plate, which is of such width as to extend between the cans and over to the inside edge of each can rim at a point substantially tangential thereto.

In order to securely position the plate or cover and lock the same to the adjacent cans. I provide one or more series of substantially L-shaped, flat clamps 16, 17 which are riveted as at 18 to the bottom surface of said plate or cover adjacent the sides l i, 15, said clamps being slightly curvilinear to correspond with the are or curvature of the sides, said plates being bent slightly inwardly as at 19, shown more clearly by Fig. 5 of the drawing. The complementary gripping faces of the clamps disposed in spaced relation corresponding to the thickness of the rim and wall of the ice cream can so that one clamp engages the outside and the other clamp the inside surface of the rim or wall. IVhile I have shown separable, complemen tary clamps for this purpose, it will be understood that for convenience of manufacture it may be desirable to provide a single clamping element to engage the outside and inside surface of the can.

In Fig. 6, I have shown a modification of a clamping device which may also be employed which consists of two spaced pl ates 20, 21 having top rolled swivels 22 loosely positioned on a rod 28, said plates being held un der tension toward each other by means of a spring 24. on said rod in such manner that said plate may grip the outside and inside surface of the can.

Again referring to Fig. 2 and -i-l it will be seen that the outer side portions 25, 26 are bent inwardly as at 27, 28 forming grooves or guides for a longitudinal T-shaped extension plate :29 which is substantially the length of the main closure or cover. The inwardly extending leg 30 of the extension plate fits within a grooved block 31 preferably soldered to the bottom of the main closure or plate 12. The extension plate is further provided with a depending pin 32 whereby it may be slid outwardly in an adjusted position to abut the side of the lining. The extension plate is limited in its outward movement by means of a headed screw 33 fastened to the extension plate, the head of said screw riding in an elongated slot 34 of said block. It will be understood that other mechanical means may be employed to connect and spread or move the extension plate to and from the main closure or cover. In any event, it will be seen that the main closure and cover is substantially flush with the extension plate effectively closing the space or opening as desired.

From the above construction, it will be seen that the surface cover or plate performs two major functions. First, it closes the space or opening between the cans and the inner frame or lining, preventing any of the ice cream from falling into the ice or open space below. It also locks or clamps the cans together preventing their relative movement to each other or to the box or refrigerator. The surface cover or plate produces a sanitary condition so that in the event any ice cream is accidentally dropped on the plate, it may be return-ed into the container.

Vi hile I have shown and described my invention with some degree of particularity, it will be realized that other modifications and changes may be resorted to under special conditions. I therefore do not wish to be limited and restricted to the exact details shown and described but reserve the right to make such changes and modifications as may fairly fall within the scope of the subject matter now being claimed.

Having shown and described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z- 1. A. surface cover of the class described comprising a substantially triangular plate, the sides of said plate being curved to conform to the curvature of the walls of two adjacent ice cream cans, dual clamping means along the sides of the plate for engaging the inner and outer walls of said cans and an adjustable, longitudinal plate carried by the bottom of the triangular plate.

2. A surface cover of the class described comprising a substantially triangular plate, the sides of said plate being curved to conform to the curvature of the walls of two adj acent ice cream cans, and L-shaped complementary clamps depending from the sides of said plate for engaging the inner and outer surfaces of said cans.

8. A surface cover of the class described comprising a substantially triangular plate, the sides of said plate conforming with the curvature of the walls of two adjacent ice cream cans, offset clamping means depending from the sides of the plate for frictional- 1y engaging the inner and outer walls of said cans.

4E. In combination with a refrigerator having an inner lining producing a well for a plurality of ice cream cans, a surface cover plate positioned between the top ofthe cans and the side walls of said lining, dependin clamping means carried by the sides of eac plate for frictionally engaging the top and the inner and outer walls of said cans and a longitudinal extension plate carried by said triangular plate adapted to be adjusted to abut the sides of the said lining.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. ROBERT SINGER. 

